Demining Capability Coalition Meets in Reykjavík

Representatives of the countries that make up the Demining Capability Coalition met in Reykjavík last week.

Iceland and Lithuania are leading the work of the group, which supports training and the purchase of a variety of equipment for mine action in Ukraine. A total of 22 countries are part of the group, as well as twelve partners. Representatives of the Ukrainian government also attended the meeting.

“We are very proud to lead this extremely important project together with our Lithuanian friends, but in Ukraine, landmines cover a vast area and endanger the lives of innocent civilians, including children,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. "This situation, of course, affects Ukraine's defense against Russia's illegal and bloody war of aggression, so this support from us and the allies is of great importance to the Ukrainian people."

At the meeting, the Ukrainians reviewed the situation in their country and informed about where help is urgently needed. Plans for contributions from the member states were reviewed, both in terms of equipment they intend to provide as well as plans for training and contributions to a fund that both handles joint purchases of necessary equipment for bomb detection and disposal and finances training projects. The fund has been useful in purchasing important equipment. Donations to the fund have been successful this year, but it is hoped that more countries will contribute funds to it in order to achieve the goals that the group has set for itself this year.

The meeting also reported on a field visit that representatives of the group, including Iceland, undertook to Ukraine in the first week of June.